Pakistan to take chair of G-77 Today
By Sonita Taylor 'Pakistan Times' UN Special Correspondent

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan will take over the chair of Group of 77 and China (developing countries) from South Africa on January 10 at a special ceremony to held at the United Nations.

Pakistan which takes over as 37th chair of the Group-77 has been reelected for an unprecedented third term.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtyar will attend the special ceremony to be held in the Trusteeship Council Chambers of the United Nations.

The ceremony will be presided over by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and attended by the foreign minister of South Africa Dr Nkosazana Dlamini, Secretary General UNCTAD Supachai Panitchpakdi and permanent representative of South Africa to UN Dr Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo.

Although the membership of Group-77, which was established in 1964 has increased to 131 countries, the original name was retained because of its historical significance.●